US model denies murdering former Tigers star Gary Mara

A California model facing a murder charge for running over and killing former Balmain Tigers rugby league winger Gary Mara in the US says she is innocent.

Mr Mara, who played for the Tigers and the Parramatta Eels in the 1980s, was holidaying with his family in Los Angeles in August last year to celebrate his 50th birthday when he was allegedly struck on a crosswalk by a car driven by 26-year-old Cara Cameron.

Prosecutors allege Cameron, who has a drink driving history, was intoxicated at the time.

Not guilty plea: Cara Cameron. Photo: Supplied

At her arraignment in the Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday, Cameron entered not guilty pleas to one count of murder and one count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.

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A trial date for Cameron, who is free on $US1 million ($1.04 million) bail, has not been set.

Mr Mara, his wife Julianne and their eight-year-old daughter Olivia had just finished dinner in the LA coastal suburb of Santa Monica on August 21 when, despite a "Don't Walk" signal, they entered the crosswalk on Montana Ave, near the famed Santa Monica Pier.

It is alleged Cameron failed to stop for the pedestrians and hit Mr Mara.

Ms Mara said her husband picked up Olivia and threw her out of the way of the car, saving their daughter's life.

Olivia suffered minor injuries, but Mr Mara died in hospital the next day.

Prosecutors filed the murder charge against Cameron after they discovered she had a 2007 alcohol-related car crash.

Mr Mara is the son of Balmain Tigers Hall of Fame member Bobby Mara and made his first-grade debut with Balmain in 1982.

He was also a member of the Tigers' 1980 Flegg Cup-winning side that included club greats Benny Elias, Steve Roach, Kevin Hardwick and Paul Sironen.